Scott Ostrander and Paul DiPierro bring a cutting edge to Origami Asian Grill, their East Sacramento favorite. With a new enterprise, Gami Burger, the duo rolls out a different formula.
Focusing on the familiar and getting two separate locations up and running fast, the Gami team is already dishing out comfortable favorites.
Ostrander and DiPierro started Origami Asian Grill in 2018. They took Michelin-star know-how and applied it to dishes such as Sichuan fried chicken and ramen. The fried chicken is tops in my book.
During the pandemic, restaurants adapted or declined. Origami adapted, occasionally featuring a Gami Burger pop-up. The meal hit the spot with diners seeking consolation. Burger pop-ups became one of Origami’s most popular pandemic-era productions.
Last summer, the first Gami Burger location took shape at the former Willie’s Burgers at Fair Oaks Boulevard and Arden Way in Carmichael.
The location had been remodeled, expanding its outdoor capacity and dialing up the garden fun vibe. Gami reimagined the site without losing what was already special.
Gami’s Carmichael was an instant hit, a neighborhood go-to place for families. I saw adults relaxing after rides on the American River bike trail, kids in Little League jerseys and dance teams arriving after competitions.
The Midtown location, opened in January, replaces another familiar burger joint. The corner of 23rd and K streets was home to Burger Patch, a destination for vegan burger lovers.
Unfortunately, Burger Patch folded after rapid expansion, leaving the Midtown site available for resurrection as a traditional burger store.
What draws crowds to Gami Burger is high-quality production of a familiar meal. The menu is stacked with basics—burgers, fries, sodas, shakes. Add excellent ahi tuna and fried chicken sandwiches and you have a solid menu.
The burger is a thin slider patty made from a custom blend of Angus beef. Brioche buns from Truckee Sourdough Company hold things together amid a mountain of options.
Purists can stick with patty, cheese, pickles and sauce. Customizers can add bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado and fried egg. A quality burger experience awaits everyone.
A few references to Gami Burger’s Asian origins are found in the Japanese-style sunomono pickles, some spice profiles and a wasabi aioli that’s perfect on the ahi sandwich. Otherwise, Gami honors traditional American burger-shop flavors and techniques.
Don’t overlook the salads, which are insanely good. Fresh local produce offers a bed of possibilities for gluten-free diners. Not many burger joints shout out to their supplier farms when listing ingredients on a salad. Gami Burger does exactly that.
Familiar flavors at familiar locations are the formula for Gami’s early success. Join the crowds for a burger or sandwich. Or break tradition and visit these two burger joints for a salad.
Gami Burger in Carmichael is at 5050 Arden Way; Gami Burger in Midtown is at 2301 K St.; gamiburgertakeout.com.
Greg Sabin can be reached at saceats@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
